Characterization of the yellow pigment in the axanthic mutant of the Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum.
The yellow pigment observed in older axanthic (ax/ax) mutant Mexican axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) was analyzed by thin layer chromatography and by spectrofluorometry of its acetyl derivative. Ethanol extracts from the skin of axanthic animals were acetylated and the chloroform-soluble portion of the product mixture was compared with a chloroform solution of an authentic riboflavin tetraacetate standard prepared in the same manner. The pigment in these two solutions behaved identically on thin layer chromatograms and in fluorescent emission spectroscopy. This confirms that the yellow pigment seen in these genetically axanthic animals is riboflavin and, since it cannot be synthesized by the animal, must be derived from the diet.
Bukowski
L
L
Department of Chemistry, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610.
Erickson
K
K
Lyerla
T A
TA
D000558:Ambystoma mexicanum / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002725:Chloroform; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D000431:Ethanol; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D010860:Pigments, Biological; D000431:Ethanol; D002725:Chloroform; D012256:Riboflavin